At a crossroads of paths in Saint-Laurent, the site of Le Palacret provides a natural setting for a voyage of discovery into the past
Situated in the heart of the Jaudy valley, le Palacret is a historic site where people come to read, walk in the woods or simply explore the different workshops, visits, conferences and documentation on the themes of biodiversity, sustainable nature management, mobility and international solidarity.
From the Commandery...
It’s impossible to describe le Palacret without touching upon its history. In the 14th century, the site was a fiefdom of a Commandery of Knights Hospitallers, an order of Catholic monks, directly answerable to the Pope and independent of the Church. At the height of its influence, the Commandery controlled 736 farms, as well as several chapels, churches and mills, representing in total more than 800 tenant rents.
In 1580, all the commanderies of Lower Brittany were brought together under a single commander who took over le Palacret. At the time, the site comprised a manor house, a chapel, a mill and several canals. Physical traces of the period are still visible, in addition to models based on historical documents.
... to flax-scutching
After the French Revolution, le Palacret was sold off piece by piece. Its mill was put to a new use, that of scutching flax. In 1960, le Palacret was one of the two remaining flax-scutching mills in Brittany.
Today, le Palacret has become an ideal place for nature walks around its four hectares of unspoilt greenery. Make the most of the tranquility and serenity of nature in the woods, meadows and wetlands of le Palacret.
(© Text by Publihebdos)
